Description of Occupational Work

This class series uses four levels of work in the Health and Human Services occupational group, Human Services occupational series and describes work supporting family independence by establishing, modifying, and facilitating enforcement of court ordered child support payments/medical coverage. Work involves gathering information through client one-on-one interviews, review of various automated/on-line systems, and court documents and representing the state/assisting obligees during Family Court proceedings. Case histories are prepared and maintained through documentation of pertinent/on-going case information/changes. Case management ensures orderly progress of events, proper notification of involved parties, and administration of child support payments.

Note: The career ladder incorporates Specialist levels I, II, III; therefore, all positions allocated to the Child Support Specialist career ladder are classified at the III level (highest level in the career ladder). The Child Support Specialist I level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels. To implement the career ladder, current employees are assigned to the level for which they meet minimum qualifications and promotional standards. Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with promotional standards developed by the agency and approved by the Director of State Personnel. The promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, set forth the criteria that identify, measure and verify successful performance at each level. Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on operational needs and distribution of work. Therefore, all employees may not have the opportunity to advance to the IIIlevel at a given point in time.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

Interview obligees and assess their needs to determine the appropriate course of action. Update case records to include location of non-custodial parent and custodial parent, asset identification, and establishment of paternity.

Access multiple national, state, and local jurisdiction database systems to gather information for the processing, establishment, and enforcement of child support cases.

Review case record to answer questions from obligee/obligor, employers, in state and out-of-state agencies, and elected officials. Document all inquiries in an automated system.

Refer obligee/obligor to other public/private agencies for services appropriate for their needs.

Maintain records and reports and shares information with other public/private agencies.

Interview obligee/obligor to elicit sensitive information from persons of various socio-economic backgrounds.

May provide outreach/education programs by working with various public and private social service agencies, schools, and correctional facilities.

Recognize crisis/dangerous situations and avoid/defuse through application of appropriate procedures/processes.

Levels of Work

Child Support Specialist I

The Child Support Specialist I is the first level in this series. Positions report to a technical superior. Guidelines are available in the form of standard operating procedures and policy.

Work is similar to the Specialist II level but assignments are structured and performed with close supervision. This level performs the full range of fundamental case processing activities. Carries out established work processes/operations.

Informs obligee/obligor of other social services for which they may qualify.

Observes/learns from work of higher level Specialist through various methods. (For example, Family Court proceedings, serving on various task force committees, and special projects).

Initiates sanctions against obligees receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) should the obligee refuse to cooperate with processes to determine paternity, or refuse to relinquish direct payments provided by the non-custodial parent (NCP). Sanctions can result in reduction/elimination of cash grants, Medicaid benefits, and food stamps. Considers case history to determine if obligee is exempt from full cooperation because contact with the NCP is likely to result in violence. In this instance, authorizes the Family Violence Indicator which curtails implementation of sanctions.

Typical contacts are with obligee/obligor, internal/external agency staff, and with others outside the supervisory chain regardless of the method of communication for the purpose of coordinating and gathering information, and explaining steps required for court ordered child support.

Child Support Specialist II

This is child support work at the full performance level. Positions typically report to a technical superior.

Performs the full range of activities required to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding the federally mandated enforcement of child support. Work is reviewed randomly or when problems are noted. Confers with Specialist III/Supervisor regarding complex cases that involve researching/interpreting the laws and regulations of multiple states, other countries/territories, and local jurisdictions. Assistance is also sought to review cases in which an obligor has multiple orders, multiple employers, and employer provided benefits.

Represents the State at Family Court mediation to recoup public assistance funds, and establish an ongoing support order. Attends Family Court mediation to assist non-public assistance (NPA) obligees by explaining the mediation process and discussing the various available options.

Typical contacts are with obligee/obligor, internal/external agency staff, Attorney General staff, and Family Court staff to gather, coordinate, and provide information, and to explain case proceedings/status.

Child Support Specialist III

At this level, positions function as lead within the child support program. Positions typically report to a technical superior.

Positions at this level are technical experts in all child support Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations.

Maintains contact with obligee/obligor, internal/external agency staff, Attorney General staff, Family Court staff, and elected officials for the purpose of case analysis, explanation, and quality control.

Child Support Supervisor

This is child support work at the supervisory level. Positions typically report to an administrative superior.

Supervision is exercised over at least two or more merit, full time positions (per the Merit Rules), one of which must be in the child support series and cannot be limited to contractual staff. The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, mentoring, training, and recommending hire/fire, discipline. Supervision must include responsibility as needed, for providing documentation to support recommended corrective and disciplinary actions, developing performance plans, signing performance plans and appraisals, and resolving informal grievances.

Provides input on the development, implementation and evaluation of program policies and procedures: Establishes and implements procedures for the efficient processing of cases.

Supervisors function as technical experts.

Maintains contact with obligee/obligor, internal/external agency staff, Attorney General staff, Family Court staff, and elected officials for the purpose of case analysis, explanation, and quality control.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.